Breaking News Today – Thursday 16 October 2025

Business News Today

DHL Signs R6 Billion Investment for Africa – Positioning SA as Key Geographic Hub

South Africa is being positioned as a key hub for multinational logistics giant DHL’s expansion across Africa, with the company signing a R6bn (€50m) investment commitment for the next five years. This move underscores SA’s strategic importance in the continent’s logistics sector, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and operational growth to enhance trade and supply chain efficiency. The investment indicates shifts in global supply chain structures and routes amidst trade shifts and tariff policy changes. This also supports SA’s key geographic positioning as a gateway for African markets continues, amid efforts to recover transport infrastructure to boost economic integration and competitiveness in the country. It remains the most prominent cross-African business development in the October 16 listings, emphasising opportunities for job creation and regional connectivity

GOLDBOD’s Model Seen as Africa’s Next Policy Model for Strategic Exports

Ghana’s Gold Board (GOLDBOD) model is gaining traction as a potential best practice policy on export for Africa. The model was praised by finance ministers from Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Sudan during a high-level African Development Bank (AfDB) meeting in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the 2025 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings. The model centralizes gold trade management, treating it as a strategic asset for macroeconomic stability and growth, rather than a mere export commodity, emphasizing domestic value retention and responsible governance. From January to August 2025, Ghana exported 66.7 tonnes of gold worth US$6 billion, surpassing 2024’s full-year small-scale output. Gold now accounts for 64% of exports and 7% of GDP in the first half of 2025, with central bank reserves reaching 37.06 tonnes by September.

U.S. Stocks & Gold Rise After Swinging Through Another Erratic Trading Day

Stocks on US bourses saw a general rise yesterday, after an erratic trading session marked by sharp swings. The S&P 500 gained 0.4% to 6,671.06, the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.7% to 22,670.08, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped less than 0.1% to 46,253.31. Volatility stemmed from President Trump’s tariff threats on China. Technology shares led share gains, boosted by ASML’s strong profit report forecasting 15% revenue growth for 2025, driven by AI investments. Banks like Bank of America and Morgan Stanley also reported better-than-expected profits. Amid an ongoing government shutdown delaying data, earnings serve as economic proxies, with gold maintaining its safe haven status, rising to over $4,200 per ounce

Oil Rises as Trump Indicates India Will Stop Buying Russian Supply

Brent crude oil futures rose above $62 per barrel on Thursday, rebounding from a five-month low this morning, following US President Donald Trump’s statement that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to ending purchases of Russian oil. This potential halt could see global oil supply narrow. Brent crude traded above $62 per barrel after a 2.2% decline over the prior two sessions, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $59. Trump’s claim lacked a specific timeline for India’s curtailment, and no official confirmation has yet to be released from New Delhi. The development was highlighted amid ongoing oil market analysis, raising hopes for price stabilization amid geopolitical shifts.

Breaking News Shorts:  .

• Agri SA, South Africas largest agricultural association, has highlighted the poor state of South African rural road Infrastructure at its Annual Conference in Pretoria Yesterday. The situation is not only hampering Farmers ability to move massive crop loads but creates a nightmare for rural communities in general where up to 60% of rural road infrastructure is not maintained at all.
• Apple announced that it had signed contracts for 650 megawatts of renewable power in Europe. Apple is buying energy from several solar farms, including 110 megawatts each in Greece and Latvia, 131 megawatts in Spain, and 40 megawatts in Poland. Wind farms will contribute 99 megawatts in Romania and a portion of the 129 megawatt solar-wind portfolio in Italy.
• This includes wind and solar projects that are either operational or will be soon. The Reserve Bank of India has flagged room for future rate cuts, according to minutes from its October meeting, released yesterday. The minutes showed that India’s interest-rate panel members have considered future cuts as the country’s inflation outlook turns more benign. The six-member Monetary Policy Committee held the key repo rate steady at 5.50% earlier this month,
• The African Securities Exchanges Association conference 2025, will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya today. The event will provide updates, focussing on adapting African stock markets to global economic shifts, including tariffs and digital assets.draws exchanges from 20 countries to discuss fintech integration and sustainable listing standards.
• India’s BSE Sensex rose 373 points, or 0.5%, to 82,978 in morning trade today, gaining for the second straight session, supported by optimism over quarterly earnings and continued foreign inflows. The broader index touched its highest level since October 1, with nearly all sectors trading in the green
• Apple’s Ke Yang to Join Meta: Yang, recently appointed to lead the Answers, Knowledge and Information team for developing a ChatGPT-like AI-driven web search central to Siri’s overhaul planned for March, is leaving to join Meta, intensifying Silicon Valley’s AI talent war, as Meta aggressively hires to compete with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar is trading lower today, with the Euro trading against the US dollar at 1.16546 while the Pound is trading at 1.4145 to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 151.14 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently at R17.35 to the US dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures prices have gained around 0,3% again this morning, hitting a new record high, and are currently trading around $4223.31 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are slightly softer today after a drop yesterday, with prices currently at $4.9090
• Silver futures prices are marginally lower this morning, and currently trading around $53.049
• Platinum futures are trading softer today, and currently trading at $1665.50, While Palladium prices are trending upwards today, and are currently trading around $1567 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are trending higher this morning, and currently at $62.31 with WTI trading lower at $58.69
• Cocoa futures have gained a little traction today, and are currently trading around $5864.38 per ton. 
• Coffee futures finally breeched the $400 barrier yesterday but have subsequentlt dropped below, and are currently trading at around $3.9069 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are currently trading at around $111309 per coin 
• Ether prices are currently trading around the $4016.70 mark
• $Trumpcoin is trending upwards today, and currently trading around $6.098

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H30 Central African Time) 

Other Headline News in Africa Today

African Union Suspends Madagascar After Military Coup

The African Union (AU) has suspended Madagascar’s membership following a military coup that ousted the government. This decision aims to pressure the coup leaders to restore constitutional order and democratic governance. The suspension, effective immediately, bars Madagascar from participating in AU activities, including summits and decision-making processes, until the situation is resolved. Regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have also condemned the coup and called for dialogue. The move aligns with the AU’s policy to upholding democratic principles across the continent, while not always having seen it in practice.

The move however potentially impacts Madagascar’s access to international aid and trade partnerships. Analysts have warned of economic repercussions, including stalled investments and heightened political instability. The AU has however not issued any comment on the failure of the previous Madagascan government to halt widespread corruption nor its lack of attention to providing basic amenities to society in the country, that led to the protests that ultimately saw the military intervention. According to reports, Madagascar’s new military ruler Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as president in coming days.